The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-01-28
AL BENT'S OLD FORT.

port Ga the Missouri to the royal city
Of New Spain, stretched to the old
6ante Re trail. At it's initial point or
tbe great muddy river there was usu:
ally q Gathering of men, cattle, and
wagons, for the making up of the nu,
nervous trains soon to be dotted
along the whole length, steadily march,
ing westward or resting at Council
Grove, Pewne Fork, the Cimarron
Crossing. or Las Vegas. Now, however,
all was strangely quiet at Westport
and all along the trail. No long pro-
cessions of ~whlte-topped wagons light
ed up the yellowishgreen buffalo grass;
NO crack of whip or merry
Wagoner's song sounded along
the banks of the river; no smoke or
camp fire rose in the clear air. Agreat
change had come over tho old Santa
Fe trail, for it was July. 1846, and
war with Mexico had been declared,
and waiting in New Spain were not ca
ger buyers OF merchandise, but war
like parties ready, as reported, to well
coHe the Gringos with bloody hands
to hospitable graves" Not wholly
deserted, however, by any mean was
the great route along the tortuous
course of the Arkansas; for on it were
marching the finest "Army of the
West" and General Stephen Kearney.
Starting from Fort Leavenworth and
making their way with much difficulty
over the rough country between that
point and the trail, they-the staff,
the regulars Infantry, dragons and
two batteries) and the famed First
regiment of Missouri Cavalry-had
passed Pawree fork, and were concen-
trEting on 8 point not far from the
junction of the Timpas river with the
Arkansas. Near this point, too, and
On the left bank, was the fort owned
by, and named for one of the family
OF Bent, those celebrated frontiers
men and trappers. 1t was a commo-
dious structure of abode, with large
central enclosure and rude accommo-
dations for man and beast.
It IA nearly sunset on or near the
26th day of July when a detachment
Of Doniphan's regiment, with head
quarters staff, halted for the night be-
yoRd the f'big timber" or grove OF
large cottonwood trees, where the
valley opens out and the river banks
slope gently down to it, aday'smarch
east Of the fort. 4 group of officers
gathered round the camp fire and sat
waiting for their supper. Ere long
one OF the surgeons Joined them, light
Fng bus pipe as he took his seat.
"Aow are the sick men, doctor?"
BskcHd the Major.
SSFhe engineer officer is better, but
sEM very weak" replied the surgeon,
the Lieutenant of cavalry is worse,
and 1 lear be cannot last long"
Poor isllOw," calculated the Major.
BE is q good and brave man. 1t is
ksrd for him TO die here, and of a
miserable fever, before a shot has
hHen Tired More than one heart will
ache IN &c. Louis when they get the
news q his ending. Can nothing be
done for him9"
Nothing" said the doctor. "He
ksquits unconscious, and will probably
pass quietly away during the night,
without coming to himself"
So It was; and at sunset next day
ttae Pawnecs and Comanches lounging
about che entrance TO Bent's fort
Ae&rd the volleys of the firing party,
and then saw the little party march
Ing nc o rapid pace back To the camp.
0atside, and close nnder the walls OF
the fOrts at the northwest corner, and
&nseag the graves OF a few traders,
erappers. and also ruffians, who had
died with both their boots on"
va q simple headboard placed, on
which a inscribed:
LEONARD HAMLIN,
L~1eutenant First Missouri Cavalry.
Born la st. Louis, Aug. 10, 1921,
bied near Bent's Fort, July 80, '46.
Then on went the Army OF the West
ION TO Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Old
Mexico and California-to do famous
deeds OF vaior; to bring new glory TO
the starry flag and to wrest from the
f0eman q princely addition to the
territory of the United States.
Eastward again went no army
with banners, no dragons wita
lance and saber, no batteries with
bright field pieces and heavy caissons.
There vent only one mana courier,
wac rode like the wind, changing his
Morse &C frequent intervals and dodg-
ing tho Sioux and the Osages as he
ccsered league after league Of long
roste. At last he gasloped, safe and
sound, into Westport and, the river
betng high. was not detained on the
eted6aer. When he arrived ct st. Louis
me news he brought spread rapidly,
am people stopped to discuss it at